Mechanical properties of vanadium based alloys for fusion reactor

In order to investigate the low temperature embrittlement behavior of vanadium alloys, Charpy impact tests and tensile tests were performed for V-Cr-Ti and V-Fe-Ti alloys. These alloys annealed at 1100 degrees C represent the ductile-brittle transition temperature, transition (DBTT) around room temperature. However, by optimising the heat treatment condition, DBTT shifts to low temperature and below liquid nitrogen temperature. On the other hand, tensile tests of vanadium alloys did not show the brittle behavior down to -196 degrees C. This discrepancy is probably caused by the different grain size or texture of the alloys. The optimal thermal treatment condition and embrittlement behavior of vanadium alloys are discussed.